U.S. patent number 9,914,372 [Application Number 15/136,221] was granted by the patent office on 2018-03-13 for motor vehicle seat arrangement.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Frank Leopold, Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske.
United States Patent |
9,914,372 |
Mildner , et al. |
March 13, 2018 |
Motor vehicle seat arrangement
Abstract
A motor vehicle seat arrangement is provided with two spaced
apart seat rails, to which two spaced apart cross profiles are
rigidly fastened. A seat structure is joined with the cross
profiles.
Inventors: |
Mildner; Udo (Ruesselsheim,
DE), Leopold; Frank (Russelsheim, DE),
Teske; Lothar (Ruesselsheim, DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
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Assignee: |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
LLC (Detroit, MI)
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Family
ID: |
57110107 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/136,221 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160311343 A1 |
Oct 27, 2016 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 24, 2015 [DE] |
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10 2015 005 296 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D
25/20 (20130101); B60N 2/0705 (20130101); B60N
2/0732 (20130101); B60N 2/1615 (20130101); B60N
2/68 (20130101); B60N 2/42709 (20130101); B60N
2/686 (20130101); B60N 2/07 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
1/00 (20060101); B60N 2/07 (20060101); B60N
2/16 (20060101); B62D 25/20 (20060101); B60N
2/427 (20060101); B60N 2/68 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;297/344.11,216.1,216.2,452.55,452.18,452.39 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1911879 |
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Mar 1965 |
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DE |
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3607855 |
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Sep 1987 |
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DE |
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10143881 |
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Mar 2003 |
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DE |
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102007003286 |
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Jul 2008 |
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DE |
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102009045065 |
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Mar 2011 |
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DE |
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102012210536 |
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Dec 2013 |
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DE |
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0028564 |
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May 1981 |
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EP |
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0290408 |
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Sep 1992 |
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EP |
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0949138 |
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Oct 1999 |
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EP |
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Other References
German Patent Office, German Search Report for German Application
No. 102015005296.9, dated Nov. 12, 2015. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Chi Q
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lorenz & Kopf LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A motor vehicle seat arrangement comprising two seat rails
arranged in spaced apart relation, two cross profiles arranged in
spaced apart relation and rigidly fastened to the two seat rails, a
seat structure joined with the cross profiles, two spaced apart
floor rails, and a body structure having a structural element
selected from the group consisting of a central tunnel and a rocker
panel profile, wherein one of the floor rails is detachably
fastened to the structural element, wherein at least one section of
at least one of the cross profiles exhibits a cross section that is
open in a circumferential direction, and wherein the seat rails are
guided on the floor rails in an axially displaceable manner.
2. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one section of at least one of the cross profiles is
roll reshaped.
3. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the open cross section comprising two legs and a web joining the
two legs together.
4. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein
the two legs are parallel.
5. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein
the two legs are inclined toward each other.
6. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 3, wherein
the two legs and the web form an arcuate section.
7. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, further
comprising a seat height adjuster hingedly connection the seat
structure to the cross profiles.
8. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein
the seat height adjuster comprises at least two structurally
identical retainers fastened to the cross profiles.
9. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the seat rails extend in a longitudinal rail direction at least
from one of the cross profiles up to the other cross profile on at
least one side beyond the spaced apart cross profiles.
10. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 9,
wherein the seat rails extend beyond the spaced apart cross
profiles on at least one side.
11. The motor vehicle seat arrangement according to claim 1,
further comprising a rotatable backrest structure, wherein one of
the cross profiles is situated in the longitudinal rail direction
between the other cross profile and a rotational axis of the
backrest structure.
12. A motor vehicle seat arrangement comprising two seat rails
arranged in spaced apart relation, two cross profiles arranged in
spaced apart relation and rigidly fastened to the two seat rails, a
seat structure joined with the cross profiles, two spaced apart
floor rails wherein the seat rails are guided on the floor rails in
an axially displaceable manner, and a body structure having a
central tunnel and a rocker panel profile, wherein one of the floor
rails is detachably fastened to the central tunnel and the other
floor rail is detachably fastened to the rocker panel profile.
13. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the seat rails
are fastened to the floor rails in an axially displaceable
manner.
14. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the cross
profiles are fastened to the seat rails and the seat structure is
joined with the cross profiles.
15. A motor vehicle comprising two seat rails arranged in spaced
apart relation, two cross profiles arranged in spaced apart
relation and rigidly fastened to the two seat rails, a seat
structure joined with the cross profiles, two spaced apart floor
rails wherein the seat rails are guided on the floor rails in an
axially displaceable manner, and two spaced apart floor rails,
wherein the seat rails are guided on the floor rails in an axially
displaceable manner, and wherein one of the floor rails is
detachably fastened to a central tunnel and the other of the floor
rails is detachably fastened to a rocker panel profile.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No.
102015005296.9, filed Apr. 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure pertains to a motor vehicle seat
arrangement, a motor vehicle with the motor vehicle seat
arrangement, as well as a method for manufacturing the motor
vehicle seat arrangement or the motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
EP 0 290 408 B1 discloses an arrangement with a base frame that can
be linearly displaced in rails bolted with a vehicle floor. Tubular
reinforcing elements are joined with a seat frame, and opposite a
seat height adjuster are hinged with the base frame.
SUMMARY
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle seat
arrangement exhibits at least two spaced apart seat rails, on which
at least two spaced apart cross profiles are or will be fastened
rigidly or without hinges, in particular (macroscopically)
immovably, and a seat structure that is or will be joined with the
cross profiles. Because the cross profiles are rigidly, in
particular immovably or fixedly, attached to the seat rails, the
cross profiles can in one embodiment advantageously convey loads
between the seat rails.
In an embodiment, one or more of the cross profiles are fastened to
one or more of the seat rails, either materially joined such as by
welding or by adhesive bonding, and/or frictionally joined such as
by bolting or riveting. In an embodiment, this makes it possible to
improve the load transmission and/or manufacture or assembly.
In an embodiment, the seat structure can exhibit a frame-shaped
seat (shell or surface) element. In an embodiment, the seat
structure is a seat structure of a front seat. In an embodiment, in
particular the behavior during a side pole impact or test can be
improved in this way, in which a pole is situated at the height of
a hip point of a front passenger.
In an embodiment at least one of the cross profiles exhibits across
section that is open in the circumferential direction over its
entire length or in one or more partial sections of its length, or
a cross sectional profile open in the circumferential direction. In
other words, at least one of the cross profiles is in one
embodiment across profile open in the circumferential direction
over its entire length or only in one or more partial sections of
its length, or exhibits a slit or gap or two edges separated, in
particular spaced apart, from each other, which extends in the
longitudinal direction of the cross profile. In an embodiment, this
makes it possible to improve the deformation behavior.
Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the cross profiles
may be roll-shaped or roll formed, in particular according to DIN
8586. In an embodiment, this makes it possible to improve
manufacture and/or the deformation behavior of the cross
profiles.
In an embodiment, at least one of the open cross sections or at
least one of the open cross sectional profiles exhibits two legs
and a web that joins the latter together. In a further development,
the legs together form an angle measuring at most 10.degree.; or in
other words the legs can at least essentially be parallel. The open
cross sectional profile can at least essentially be rectangular
with an open or missing rectangle side. In another further
development, the legs are curved relative to each other or together
form an angle measuring at least 20.degree.. In other words, the
open cross sectional profile can at least essentially be
trapezoidal with an open or missing trapezoid side. In an
embodiment, at least one of the open cross sections or at least one
of the open cross sectional profiles exhibits an least essentially
constant, curved area, which in a further development extends over
an angular range of at least 90.degree., and in particular at least
160.degree.. In other words, the open cross sectional profile can
at least essentially be arcuate and may generally form a half round
or semicircular. In an embodiment, such open cross sections or
cross sectional profiles make it possible to improve manufacture
and/or the deformation behavior.
In an embodiment, at least one of the cross profiles exhibits an
essentially constant cross section over its entire length. As a
result, manufacture can be improved in an embodiment.
In an embodiment, the seat structure is or will be hinged to the
cross profiles via a seat height adjuster. In an embodiment,
arranging the seat height adjuster between the cross profiles
rigidly joined with the seat rails and the seat structure makes it
possible to improve load transmission and/or the deformation
behavior.
In a further development, the seat height adjuster exhibits at
least two structurally identical retainers, in particular a left
and a structurally identical right retainer and/or a front and a
structurally identical rear retainer, i.e., in particular a front
left and a structurally identical front right retainer and/or a
rear left and a structurally identical rear right retainer. In an
embodiment, this makes it possible to reduce the number of
different components, and thereby improve their manufacture,
storage and/or assembly.
In a further development, the seat height adjuster, in particular a
retainer of the seat height adjuster, may be fastened to the cross
profiles or one of the cross profiles either materially joined via
welding or adhesive bonding, and/or frictionally jointed via
bolting or riveting. In an embodiment, this makes it possible to
improve the load transmission and/or manufacture or assembly.
In an embodiment, the seat rails extend in the longitudinal rail
direction, in particular in the longitudinal vehicle direction, in
particular as a single piece or part, at least from the one cross
profile to the other cross profile, in particular beyond the spaced
apart cross profiles on one or both sides. In an embodiment, this
makes it possible to improve the load transfer and/or guidance. In
like manner, at least one of the seat rails can also exhibit
several seat rail parts spaced apart from each other in the
longitudinal rail direction, wherein the cross profiles can then be
spaced apart in the longitudinal rail direction in particular by
the seat structure. In an embodiment, at least one of the seat
rails exhibits a cross section that is at least essentially
constant and/or open in the circumferential direction in the
longitudinal rail direction over its entire length or (only) one or
more (partial) sections of its length, and/or is at least
essentially straight.
In an embodiment, one of the cross profiles is arranged in the
longitudinal rail direction between another of the cross profiles
and a rotational axis of a rotatable/pivoted backrest structure; in
particular, the rotational axis of the rotatable/pivoted backrest
structure in the longitudinal vehicle direction can be arranged
behind the cross profiles or offset toward a vehicle rear in
relation thereto. In an embodiment, this makes it possible to
improve the crash behavior, in particular given a post impact or
test.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle, in
particular a passenger car, exhibits two parallel floor rails
spaced apart from each other in particular in a transverse vehicle
direction, along with a motor vehicle seat arrangement described
herein, the seat rails of which are guided on the floor rails in an
axially displaceable, in particular positive, manner. In an
embodiment, the seat rows are guided in the floor rails or engage
into the latter. In other words, a respective seat rail is
partially enveloped in the circumferential direction by the floor
rails guiding them. In another embodiment, the seat rails are
guided on the floor rails or respectively envelop the latter at
least partially in the circumferential direction.
In an embodiment, at least one of the seat rails or seat rail parts
is guided on one of the floor rails in a torque-proof or
rotation-proof or purely axially or linearly displaceable manner.
In an embodiment, the displaceability and/or force transfer can be
improved in this way.
In an embodiment, the seat and/or floor rails at least essentially
extend in the longitudinal vehicle direction or form an angle with
the latter measuring at most 10.degree.. Additionally or
alternatively, the cross profiles at least essentially extend in a
transverse vehicle direction or form an angle with the latter
measuring at most 10.degree.. Additionally or alternatively, at
least one of the seat rails together with at least one of the cross
profiles rigidly fastened thereto, in particular the seat rails
together with the cross profiles fastened thereto, each forming an
angle of between 75.degree. and 105.degree., in particular an
essentially right angle. In an embodiment, this makes it possible
to improve the force transfer and/or deformation behavior.
In an embodiment, the motor vehicle exhibits a body structure with
a central or longitudinal tunnel, wherein one of the floor rails is
or will be fastened to the central tunnel, in particular to an
especially horizontal step of the central tunnel, in particular
frictionally joined, in particular via bolting or riveting, and/or
materially joined, in particular via welding or adhesive
bonding.
Additionally or alternatively, the body structure can exhibit in
particular an inner vehicular rocker panel profile. One or the
other floor rails may be fastened to the rocker panel profile, in
particular to an in particular horizontal step of the rocker panel
profile, in particular frictionally joined, in particular via
bolting or riveting, and/or materially joined, in particular via
welding or adhesive bonding. In an embodiment, this makes it
possible to improve load transfer and/or assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote
like elements.
FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle seat arrangement according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective view;
FIG. 2 shows part of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure with the motor vehicle seat arrangement in a
perspective view;
FIG. 3 shows the part of the motor vehicle in a side view;
FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV on FIG. 2;
FIG. 5A is a cross sectional profile of a cross profile of the
motor vehicle seat arrangement;
FIG. 5B is a cross sectional profile of a cross profile of a motor
vehicle seat arrangement according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
FIG. 5C is a cross sectional profile of a cross profile of a motor
vehicle seat arrangement according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and
uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be
bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the
invention or the following detailed description.
FIG. 2 shows part of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure with the motor vehicle seat arrangement in a
perspective view, while FIG. 1 shows the motor vehicle seat
arrangement. The motor vehicle seat arrangement exhibits two spaced
apart seat rails 10, 11, to which two spaced apart cross profiles
20, 21 are rigidly fastened, and a seat structure 3 that is joined
with the cross profiles 20, 21. The seat structure 3 exhibits, in
particular is, a frame-shaped seat shell or surface element of a
front seat. The cross profiles 20, 21 each exhibit a cross section
that is constant over their entire length and open in the
circumferential direction or an open (cross sectional) profile, and
are roll (re)shaped.
In the exemplary embodiment on FIG. 1-5A, the open, rectangular
cross sections or cross (sectional) profiles, as visible in
particular on FIG. 5A, each exhibit two parallel legs 22, 23 and a
web 24 joining the latter together. In another embodiment according
to FIG. 5C, which otherwise coincides with the embodiment described
with reference to FIG. 1-4, the legs 22, 23 of the trapezoidal
cross sections or cross (sectional) profiles are inclined toward
each other, as evident from FIG. 5C. In another embodiment
according to FIG. 5B, which otherwise coincides with the embodiment
described with reference to FIG. 1-4, the half-round or circular
cross sections or cross (sectional) profiles, as visible on FIG.
5B, exhibit a constantly curved area 25, which extends over an
angular range of about 180.degree..
The seat structure 3 is hinged to the cross profiles 20, 21 via a
seat height adjuster 40. The seat height adjuster 40 exhibits a
front left and a structurally identical front right retainer 41,
and a rear right and structurally identical rear right retainer 42.
The retainers 41, 42 of the seat height adjuster 40 are fastened to
the cross profiles 20, 21 materially, in particular via welding
and/or adhesive bonding, or frictionally, in particular via
riveting.
As evident in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, the seat rails 10, 11
extend in the longitudinal rail or vehicle direction as a single
piece from the front cross profile 20 up to the rear cross profile
21, as well as on one side beyond the front cross profile 20. The
motor vehicle exhibits a body structure with a central or
longitudinal tunnel 40 with a horizontal step 51 (see FIG. 4), to
which a floor rail 60 is fastened via bolting, riveting, welding or
adhesive bonding.
In addition, the body structure exhibits an inner rocker panel
profile 52 with a horizontal step 53 (see FIG. 4), to which another
floor rail 61 is fastened via bolting, riveting, welding or
adhesive bonding. As evident in particular on FIG. 4, the parallel
seat rails 10, 11 are guided in the parallel floor rails 60, 61 in
a positive, axially displaceable and torque-proof manner.
As evident particular in FIG. 3, a rotational axis 7 over which a
backrest structure 8 is rotatably mounted is offset in the
longitudinal vehicle direction behind the two cross profiles 20, 21
or in relation thereto toward a vehicle rear (to the right on FIG.
3), so that the rear cross profile 21 is situated between the front
cross profile 20 and rotational axis 7.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the
foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a
vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that
the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only
examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,
or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing
detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a
convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it
being understood that various changes may be made in the function
and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *